Glancing Backward, 1/20/12

Published: January 20, 2012

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Today is Friday, Jan. 20, the 20th day of 2012. There are 346 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Jan. 20, 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt became the first chief executive to be inaugurated on Jan. 20 instead of March 4.

Glancing Backward Locally:

25 years ago - 1987

The First Presbyterian Church of Athens will celebrate its 175th anniversary this year. The first event will be a "kick-off dinner" this weekend.

Shari Davenport, daughter of Ralph and Donna Carman of Burlington, has been selected as a finalist for Pennsylvania's seventh annual Homecoming Queen selection to be held April 11-12 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.

At the recent reorganizational meeting of the Troy Township Board of Supervisors, Homer Lyon was elected chairman, Harry Havens is vice chairman and Paul Everts is the third member.

50 years ago - 1962

The Bradford County Eye Bank, which was started by the Towanda Lions Club, processed its second pair of eyes early yesterday, the project turning into a six-county mission.

Hopes of finding gas or oil deposits are again gaining strength in the Dushore area as the Delcom Drilling Company of Tyler, Texas, probes deeper into the earth. The location of the latest well is in Wilmot Township.

Bradford County farmers interested in obtaining trees from the state nursery and getting government cost-sharing must file an application by Jan. 31 at the Bradford County ASCS office.

75 years ago - 1937

The power has been turned on for the new electric line between Berrytown and Columbia Cross Roads.

Sixty-three boys from Bradford County schools are attending the State Farm Show at Harrisburg this week, among them 14 from Towanda High School.

At the State Farm Show, R.D. Campbell of Athens not only took first prize in District No. 3 with his wheat but also was crowned grand champion of all classes competing throughout the state.

Elsewhere on this date:

In 1265, England's first representative Parliament, which included officials from districts, cities and boroughs, met for the first time.

In 1649, King Charles I of England went on trial, accused of high treason (he was found guilty and executed by month's end).

In 1887, the U.S. Senate approved an agreement to lease Pearl Harbor in Hawaii as a naval base.

In 1936, Britain's King George V died; he was succeeded by Edward VIII.

In 1942, Nazi officials held the notorious Wannsee conference, during which they arrived at their "final solution" that called for exterminating Jews.

In 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Vice President Richard Nixon were sworn in for their second terms of office in a private Sunday ceremony (a public ceremony was held the next day).

In 1961, John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th president of the United States.

In 1981, Iran released 52 Americans it had held hostage for 444 days, minutes after the presidency had passed from Jimmy Carter to Ronald Reagan.

In 1986, the United States observed the first federal holiday in honor of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.

In 2001, George Walker Bush became America's 43rd president after one of the most turbulent elections in U.S. history.

In 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the nation's 44th, as well as first African-American, president.

Today's Birthdays: Country singer Slim Whitman is 88. Comedian Arte Johnson is 83. Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin is 82. Olympic gold medal figure skater Carol Heiss is 72. Singer Eric Stewart is 67. Movie director David Lynch is 66. Country-rock musician George Grantham (Poco) is 65. Actor Daniel Benzali is 62. Rock musician Paul Stanley (KISS) is 60. Rock musician Ian Hill (Judas Priest) is 60. Comedian Bill Maher is 56. Actor Lorenzo Lamas is 54. Actor James Denton is 49. Rock musician Greg K. (The Offspring) is 47. Country singer John Michael Montgomery is 47. Sophie, Countess of Wessex, is 47. Actor Rainn Wilson (TV: "The Office) is 46. Actress Stacey Dash is 45. TV personality Melissa Rivers is 44. Singer Xavier is 44. Actor Reno Wilson is 43. Singer Edwin McCain is 42. Actor Skeet Ulrich is 42. Rap musician ?uestlove (The Roots) is 41. Rock musician Rob Bourdon (Linkin Park) is 33. Actor Evan Peters is 25.

Thought for Today: "Whatever people in general do not understand, they are always prepared to dislike; the incomprehensible is always the obnoxious." - Letitia Landon, English poet (1802-1838).

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